Plasma TVs, Play Stations new power guzzlers

MUMBAI: Before you succumb to meeting your child���s nagging demand for a Play Station, ponder over the statistics on how much energy the gizmo guzzles as compared to your plain-Jane refrigerator.

According to a global study by a consumer group, Choice, game consoles like Play Station3 are likely to devour five times more power than medium-sized refrigerators. Though the penetration of Play station is restricted to urban metros in India, the study reveals that a Sony Playstation3, when switched on, but not in use, could cost almost $250 a year in electricity as compared to a fridge which consumer power costing the consumer less than $50 per annum.

The results of the study released are meant to be an eye-opener for the lay consumer, who is slowly realising how much a single household can contribute to the phenomenon of global warming.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is planning to make star ratings mandatory on air-conditioners soon. These energy efficiency ratings are already mandatory for refrigerators, tube lights, geysers, with more categories expected to be added to the list.

Star ratings determine how many kilo-watts of power a durable consumes in a year. A product labelled one star will consume 20% more energy than a two-star product.

Air conditioners, in fact, are more polluting than refrigerators. Industry estimates reveal that an AC consumes power in one month what a normal sized refrigerator would consume in one year.